In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Macau Special Administrative Region and defending firmly the uniqueness of Macau and aiming to reinforce the sense of belonging amongst citizens, particularly the younger ones, and to promote the identity concept based on the historic and cultural values of Macau, the International Institute of Macau (IIM) presents the following rules for the Photography Contest: MY MACAU MY LOVE!

This Contest aims to stimulate the citizen’s knowledge, especially young people, about the heritage, its variety and the traditions that form the culture of Macau.

The Contest must portray views of the city – what is most appreciated by the author – such as historic monuments, buildings; cultural demonstrations (intangible heritage), habits, customs, beliefs, popular festivities, traditional and religious from the Chinese, Portuguese and Macanese cultures, etc.

On 27 October 2018, two sessions were held at the IIM, in articulation with the Youth Macanese Encontro. The first session was the launch of a video documentary "Macaenses: an Odyssey (part one)", about the Macanese diaspora based on interviews done in North America. The second session was an informal meeting with the former Governor of Macau (1974-1979) General José Eduardo Garcia Leandro who presented the topic "Macau and the future of the Portuguese community in the MSAR". These sessions were a collaboration with the Macanese Youth Association (AJM), the support of the Macao Foundation and the young participation who came from different Casas de Macau around the world.

On 29 August 2018, the Macau Cultural Center hosted a symposium for around 60 attendees, a collaboration of the Lusitano Club of California with the International Institute of Macau and with the support of the Macao Foundation. The main speakers were Mr. António M. Jorge Da Silva and Mr. Davis Hou Nam Ip, with introduction made by Professor Ming K. Chan of Stanford University.

António Jorge da Silva who has dedicated the last 20 years to documenting the history of the “Macaense” people, spoke about his book "Macaenses: the Portuguese in China (2015)" which was recently revised by him then translated into Chinese by Davis Ip to be published in 2019. António da Silva commented that “many historians have written about the History of Macau, but little has been mentioned of its people. Our descendants now all over the world know little about our people, how our ancestors lived, and who we are genetically.” His book discusses this subject and refers to class distinction in the society of the Portuguese people of Macau. He has also introduced his upcoming illustrated book "The Portuguese Community in Macau, A Pictorial History" illustrating the persona of this Portuguese city on Chinese soil and the Macaense community who lived there.

Mr. Davis Hou Nam Ip, experienced young man, was graduated in the University of Macau and post grad from Universities in Netherlands and London, with experience as reporter for Macau Post Daily and TDM Chinese TV Channel. He took center stage to speak of his deepened appreciation of the Macaense in translating da Silva’s book into Chinese, and gave us an update and his reflections of Macau today through his journalistic lens: • To how Macau has developed, changed and grown. • The incredible reversal of the "4-tier social ladder", in which now the Chinese count. • The rise of a conglomerate of opulent casinos, patronized in majority by clients from interior of China. • The completed erection of the Hong-Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. • Referenced how China benefits from Macau. • That the Portuguese are an intricate and important asset to Macau. Together they are looking to diversify economics, by maintaining local culture, and ways of increasing tourism. • Drew our attention to China's involvement in many different countries regarding assisting with infrastructure, labor, and various developments. • Leaving us to speculate where Economic leadership is headed.

After the session, an enjoyable luncheon made by Chef Dorothy Oliveira was served with Macanese cuisine.

The IIM is at this year's MIF (Macao´s International Trade and Investment Fair) in the Venetian Macao. Find us at PLPEX (Portuguese Speaking Countries Products and Services Exhibition) area, stand b43. We are promoting our publications, focusing the Grand Bay Area.

An exhibition was opened on June 9 2018 at the heart of Silicon Valley, in the Portuguese Historical Museum located at History Park San Jose California.

Portraying a very comprehensive 500 years history of Macau, since the establishment of the territory by the Portuguese till the present day, the exhibit gives its viewers a very detailed knowledge of Macau, today known as a Special Administrative Region of the People´s Republic of China.

The exhibition is equipped with a high quality digital display screen, including the history with more interaction. Shown during the celebration of the Portugal´s Day around the world, the exhibition receives on the opening day over 5000 visitors and will be the main display until June next year.

A collaboration between the Club Lusitano of California and the International Institute of Macau, the exhibition was sponsored by the Macao Foundation.

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Committed to Macau and its communities, united in support of its aspirations of development and success in the future, the International Institute of Macau is open to the world for a better service in Macau